unclescott58

Interesting, I just got word on eBay that tokky-plus, the number one Japanese vendor mentioned above has just shipped the model I ordered from them. I ordered this on April 22, a week ago today. They informed me a day or two later about the shipping problems out of Japan. I still requested for them to go ahead ship the model. So it takes 5 to 6 days for them to do that? If it was my business, it would be out the next day, after clearing things up with the customer. tokky-plus does indicate that the model should arrive at my doorstep by May 22. I'm okay with that. But, would it arrive 5 or 6 days earlier if they had shipped the next day? Am I being too picky about this? Even now, working my job online, I try to get things done as quick as I can. I expect, and try to give good and prompt service in any I do. I expect the same out of others. Especially if the exchange of money is involved. Again, I'm also willing to forgive a lot if I get good service. Service has not been very good, in my opinion, lately online.

I don't know if this means anything or not. But I just found a YouTube video where a guy was showing at Omni Models and Tower Hobbys are actually one in the same. I don't know what this proves? I know a lot of people buy from Tower Hobbys. I never have. Yet I've purchased several items from them on eBay through their Omni Models subsidiary. The guy on YouTube was showing that prices between Tower and Omni are exactly the same. Pointing out they are both out of Campaign, IL. And in digging farther, he found out that Omni is actually owned by Tower. Interesting.

That's im looking for. Looking at the photos, I'm a little nervous about what I'm seeing there. I'd particularly like to see the body up close to see what it really looks like. Showing it upside down in the box raises flags for me. Plus the resin looks a little thick. I'd need to see a "Accura Model" kit in real life, after seeing those photos. Hey, thanks Mike for taking interest in this, and trying to help me find a WC 53. I find this is the type of stuff that makes the hobby both interesting and fun. Someday one of us will find a WC 53.

That's my question. In the last month I've run across a few minor problems with ordering things online. With vendors blaming the issues on Covid-19. For example, two sellers out of Japan. After ordering a model from one, I'm told it's going to take a couple months, because things like models can not be flown out of Japan. At least I was asked if I want the model or a refund? I'm in no rush, so it's being sent by ship. A second Japanese vendor just up and canceled my order. Notifying me several days after the order about the shipping problem out of Japan. Why are you trying to sell things to the United States, if you can't deliver? Other vendors have also been using the virus as an excuse for being extremely slow at shipping things. Or not being able to deliver. Most other sellers seem to be having no problems at all. I don't get it. If there's a problem, why not you shut down your shop for duration. I've also had problems with vendors out of Germany. Anything out of France is very slow. Yet the rest of Europe seems okay. The Chinese sells also seem okay. Both mainland (at least Hong Kong) and Taiwan. U.S. vendors. A mixed bag. Service is a big thing to me. I can forgive a lot if I least get decent service.

Sad to say, the vendor Omni Models has just told me to send the whole thing back. They can not at this time, just replace the missing instructions and decals. Something about having no one having access to their warehouse. So what's going to be done? I don't know if they'll send me another one, and if so, when will they have access to their warehouse again? Or are they just going to refund my money? I'm a little disappointed with this. I have get a return request from eBay? (Never had to do that before. Most vendors have just sent me a return label themselves.) Repackage the kit. And stand in line at the post office. (Can I even do that with the Covid virus thing happening?) I've had good service from Omni Models in the past. I'm just a little disappointed by their explanation of why they need me to return the whole kit, rather than grabbing from another kit what's missing from the kit they sold me. They say it's because, they have no one at their warehouse at this time? If that's the case, how and why are they selling models on web without access to their warehouse at this time? Protecting their warehouse workers is fine. But, now as a customer, I'm going to have go out into the public and threaten mine. In general, I'm not really worried. I'm just a little put off. And will this stop me from buying from Omni Models in the future? No. I've had pretty good service from them overall. I'm just not happy in this one case. I was really looking forward starting on this kit.

For sure a WC53 Carryall? I've seen plenty of WC54s. But, there is a major difference between the style of the two bodies. WC53s literally look like a 1940's Chevy Suburban Carryall body on a Dodge WC/Power Wagon chassis. Where the WC54s are much bigger. Widening out in back of the front doors. If there is a WC53 in resin, I'd love see how it looks. I've had very good luck with most resin kits I've purchased over the years. But, I've sure seen some bad ones too. In fact, I remember about 20 or 25 years ago, a fairly well known, and decent resin maker, offered a modern Dodge Suburban for the new generation AMT Dodge Pickup Truck snap kit at the time. I was excited. As I've mentioned, I love Chevy Suburbans. And I like the new Dodge truck at the time. A winning combination, right? This resin was awful. Thick and bumpy. No interior behind the front seats. A general disappointment. Thankfully, I was able to trade it with another member in our local model car club. He knew what he was getting into, and had to put in a lot of work to get something halfway decent out of it. Even then he'll tell you it was one the worst kits he ever tackled. So for that reason I really need to see a resin closely before considering it. That reminds me. I too have seen one resin WC53 on eBay not that long ago. I believe it was in 1/72 scale, and did not look too good. I like to one in 1/35 to match my other military vehicles. Or 1/25 and do it up as an after the war, second life, more civilian version.

Guess what? I was able to change it after all. Now it says the correct Wankel, instead of Wankle.

Talking about Dodge WC models, the one I wish someone would do is the WC53, the Carryall. Basically the Dodge military version the Chevrolet Carryall Suburban. Being a big fan of all Suburbans, I love to have a model of the Dodge WC53. Or the later Dodge Town Wagon.

I think it's too late to correct the Subject heading. Plus, autocorrect automatically changes it to that spelling if you don't watch it.

In today's mail. When having a Jeep is not enough.

Corona Lisa. That's not bad.

Looks pretty good.

Just finished it. Entex's 1/5 scale Mazda rotary engine from the early 70's. This was one of those kits that came out about two years after I built my first Renwal Visible V-8 in 1971. This kit always intrigued me. I have a friend who built one back in the day. But, it didn't interest me enough to really go for one until recently. And after building it, I got to say I'm a little disappointed. Shorty after getting my kit a month or two ago, I called my friend who built one in the mid-70's, to see what he remembered of the kit. The first thing that came to his mind, was that he couldn't get the electrical parts of the kit to work. And this lead him to be disappointed with the kit. Well, guess what the main problem I ran across on this kit? Getting the electrical parts to work! Some of the problems may have come with age. It was a new old stock 47 year old kit. But somehow I don't really think that was the issue. It's more a series of bad design. The switch for turning it on. The gear reduction setup for lowering the electric motors speed. The way the wires connected together. Even the battery box, that seemed too small and too tight for the AA batteries. Too many little things, that sabotaged the whole. I assembled and wired things to the best of my ability. Nothing works. It's just going to have to be a static model. Interesting both my friend who built the Entex kit as a teen, and I, both successfully built Renwal Visible V-8s as very young teens. We both got our Visible V-8s to work. With the starter turning the flywheel, and spark plugs firing in their correct order. Why at the age of 16 or 17 in his case, and now 62 in mine, neither of us could get our Entex Wankel Rotary Engine kits to work? Maybe it's not us?

Yea, tires and wheels are the only "custom" parts I remember in those kits. They also came with choice of plain valve covers, or the factory optional finned ones. I remember AMT's 1/16 '55 Thunderbird having '56 Mercury station wagon taillights as a custom option. Again, other than tires and wheels, it was similar to their big '57. The 1/16 '57 Thunderbird is supposed to be reissued later this year. I sure hope so. It's been a long time since we last saw the kit. Though the one I would really love to see would be the '55. No word on that one ever coming back.

Which 3.8? I'm assuming since you mention the Grand National, your talking Buick? There was a short lived Chevy 3.8 also.

Wouldn't the Sonoma come with a 4.3?

Nice Merc. Who makes that? And your right about mirrors on modern cars. And trucks.

Your right. How this fits in with point of this thread I don't get? I'm not laughing. I don't even find it all that interesting. But, looking at the response, I'm in the minority on that. But, how's it funny?

After doing a thorough inventory using the online instructions. Everything but the paper instructions, decals, and stickers are there. So that's good news. Now I'm anxious to get going on it. But, I'm going to wait until the seller gets back to me with their instructions on what they're going to do about the pieces that are missing. Like I said earlier. Bummer. ?

Thank you Bill. That helps. It especially will give me a chance to if I'm missing anything other than instructions, decals, and stickers.

Bummer! As I looked closer at my new new Porsche kit, I'm missing instructions and decals. It was sealed when I got it. And I bought it from a reputable dealer, so I'm hoping they can take care of the problem fairly quickly. Still, I'm a little disappointed ?

FedEx just stopped by, and left me the following.

Steve, most of us are not as detailed oriented as you are. And that's fine. That's why your model are superior to most others I've seen. As you know, I've seen your models in person. And I'm always blown away by the work you do. I always think about the rear deck emblem on the trunk of your '61 Buick. Wow! But, several of us don't have the patience or talent to do that kind of work. I wish I did. And I'm glad you do. At the same time the way others of us build models is okay too. I've personally had troubles with both mirrors and antennas. And I'm very much okay if a kit doesn't come with them. Presently I'm working on JoHan's '35 Mercedes 500K coupe. Talk about a lot of little details that could break off later. At the same, I'm adding all of those little details with the greatest care I can. In the end, it will not only have an exterior driver's side mirror. But, a passenger side one too.

Again, thanks Snake. You got me smiling.

We're drifting a little off subject here. I believe there are other threads here covering the above questions better here, than this one?